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Aldermen clash over Rise Up Foundation event transparency and staff workload; calls for restraint and full access to information
Summary
Council members debated requests for detailed staff information about the Rise Up Foundation music festival. One alderman defended staff from what she called politically motivated requests; another said elected officials are entitled to information and staff should accommodate reasonable requests. The council did not adopt new rules.
A debate among council members about the Rise Up Foundation music festival and related information requests dominated the council-comment portion of Monday’s meeting.
One alderman praised the volunteer-run Rise Up festival, noting that the event draws thousands, supports local businesses and returns proceeds to City of McHenry programs. That alderman said staff should not be burdened by what she characterized as political or harassing information requests and urged colleagues to “allow staff to do their respective jobs.” She also criticized fellow Alderman Bassi’s public calls for repayment of city support to the event.
Alderman Bassi (identified in the meeting as having asked for detailed information) responded that elected officials are entitled to information and that reasonable requests should be accommodated without needing a formal Freedom of Information Act filing. He said council members frequently rely on detailed information for oversight and work and that staff should provide access in a timely manner.
No formal action or policy change was made at the meeting; council members exchanged views, with one urging that politics not be injected into council discussions and another defending the right of aldermen to request information. The discussion closed without a motion to change staff request procedures.
Ending: The dispute highlighted tension about oversight, staff workload and public perception of a high-profile volunteer festival, but council did not adopt new rules or direct staff to change information practices at the meeting.
